The goal of Marist Brothers' coach Mark Sivewright before the season was to recruit as many Marist Brothers Junior Rugby League Club players back to the Rams as possible to further the family feeling associated with the Brothers.

Due to the closure of the Queensland border over the coronavirus pandemic, the 13 players who will run onto Crozier Field tomorrow to face the Todd Carney-coached Byron Bay will all be Marist Brothers Juniors, which would not have happened for many years.

Two matches off as NRRRL hit by border closure

Hugh and Dane Pratt, and Max Elliott, are all north of the Queensland/NSW border and have forced Sivewright's hand.

One Marist Brother Junior not selected is dynamic lock forward Kyle Kennedy, who had to be helped off the field against Ballina last Sunday. The 22-year-old has impressive representative honours with Northern Rivers Under 23s and NSW Country Under 23s and was delighted to be back at the Brothers.

"Kyle is out for six to eight weeks with his ankle. He’s a big loss, a ripper of player," said Sivewright.

Kyle Kennedy on rejoining the club earlier this year. Photo: Jake Hoban

However Sivewright has assembled a strong squad and teenager Ethan Mumford returns on the wing and Lilo Stavenow comes in as prop.

"Lilo's trained hard all off-season so he’s really keen to rip in," said Sivewright. "He is as solid as and won't let anyone down."

The decision by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to close the border is also believed to have hit the Byron Bay side, including player/coach Carney. The Reserve Grade side has forfeited.

"We need to build on what we created this season against Byron," said Sivewright.

"The side selected is a great bunch of lads and all Marist Juniors. There were lots of positives to come out of the Ballina game and we’ll learn from our mistakes."

Brothers lost 28-16 but everyone who saw the match was impressed with the Brothers' attitude and overall performance and the match was closer than the final score suggested.

Byron Bay defeated Mullumbimby 26-12 in Round 2 and opened the delayed season with a 30-16 win over Cudgen, both at home, and will be confident heading inland to Lismore tomorrow.

Mitch Krause and the Kennedy brothers Lachlan and Aidan all played for Byron Bay last season, so expect huge matches from the trio picked.

Marist Brothers team to play Byron Bay at Crozier Field, Lismore: 1) Mitch Krause, 2) Hezekiah Mckenzie, 3) Matt Tickle, 4) Isaac Lee, 5) Ethan Mumford, 6) Jamahl Roberts, 7) Jacob Follant, 8) Lochie Perrin, 9) Paul O'Neill, 10) Lilo Stavenow, 11) Josh Patston, 12) Lachlan Kennedy, 13) Jake Hobin. Reserves: 14) Shaun Creswell, 15) Lennon Bartlett, 16) Aidan Kennedy, 17) Blake O’Connor, 18) Aidan Hayward

Gates at Crozier Field open at 12 noon, with the following matches to be played:

Under 18s 1:20pm

First Grade 3:00pm

The annual Ladies Day is being held and the Ramettes are welcoming you to come dressed up in your frock and join them to celebrate all the women that make Brothers the club it is.